Last night the law firm of Zarwin Baum DeVito Kaplan Schaer Toddy P.C. and Philadelphia Eagle Jeremy Maclin – along with his foundation JMac Gives Back – teamed up to collect more than 600 toys for Little Smiles Pa. In an evening filled with holiday cheer, city leaders and business executives from across the region gathered at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Center City. During the evening the Eagles’ “Green Magic” bus arrived with a donation of 300 toys, which Zarwin Baum and Maclin will deliver to Shriners Hospital for Children on Thursday. The remaining toys will be distributed by Little Smiles Pa. to other area hospitals.

Welcome to our new weekly series, Philanthropy Fridays, where Delaware Valley Legacy Fund (DVLF) Executive Director Samantha Giusti introduces you to a local LGBT non-profit in Philadelphia. She gets things started with a peek into her work at DVLF, an organization that works to provide resources LGBT-focused non profits in the city.

Our biggest shining moment to date was … The day DVLF’s endowment surpassed the $1-million mark. We have a growing pipeline of almost $10 million, because of our generous Legacy Society members who have left a gift to DVLF in their will.

Finish this sentence: If a check for $1 million found its way to my doorstep … I would cry with joy. That would allow us to fund so many LGBT organizations doing vitally important work.

When it comes to supporting Philly public schools, restaurateur Stephen Starr has put his money where his customers’ mouths are: He raised more than $100,000 for the school district by asking patrons to add a donation to their bill whenever they ate at one of his restaurants.

Starr gave an interview to the Philadelphia Business Journal about why he promotes the schools. An excerpt:

The foundation, in a news release, would say only that Degnan was leaving for “personal reasons” at the end of August. Laura Sparks, the foundation’s Chief Philanthropy Officer, is stepping up to the newly retitled role of “executive director” to replace Degnan.

If you are a Philadelphia-area showtunes fan looking to support a good cause, you’re in luck. This year marks the 14th anniversary of West Chester University’s (WCU) AIDS Benefit Concert and Cabaret, titled “Seasons May Change,” and, for the first time in its history, the Gayborhood is getting in the mix.

Since 2006, Equality Forum has put the spotlight on 217 LGBT icons who have made important strides in the arts, science, politics and culture. As we get ready for LGBT History Month in October, the Philly-based organization has given us a preview of who’s being honored this year.

“The 217 Icons, including the 31 Icons for 2012, demonstrate the impressive and diverse international impact of the LGBT community,” says Malcolm Lazin, founder of LGBT History Month and executive director of Equality Forum.

Icons are selected for their accomplishments in their field of endeavor, their status as a national hero or their significant contributions to LGBT equality, he says. The icons are chosen based on nominations from organizations and individuals – this year’s co-chairs were Professor George Chauncey, chair of the History & American Studies Department and Yale University, and Sue Rankin, professor of education and LGBT Studies at Penn State University.